CSL and BCI Minerals Partner to Build Advanced Transhipment Vessel for Mardie Project
02 July 2024 - 4:49PM
The CSL Group (“CSL”), a global leader in sustainable marine
transportation solutions, is pleased to announce a 21-year
strategic partnership with BCI Minerals Limited (“BCI”) to build
and operate an innovative transhipment vessel to support the Mardie
Salt and Potash Project (“Mardie Project”).
As part of CSL’s comprehensive transhipment solution, the
custom-designed transhipper will handle 5.35 million tonnes of salt
and 140,000 tonnes of sulfate of potash per year. Loading will take
place at BCI’s jetty loadout facility in Cape Preston, Western
Australia, with the vessel navigating 12-15 nautical miles to
transfer the cargo to ocean-going ships from Handysize to Newcastle
Max.
“We are excited to partner with BCI and spearhead the
development of this custom-built diesel-electric ship, which will
provide a high-performance, safe and sustainable solution for the
Mardie project,” said Louis Martel, President and CEO, The CSL
Group. “Aligned with CSL and BCI’s commitment to environmental
sustainability, the design of the new ship provides a pathway to
achieve our decarbonization targets. Its diesel-electric propulsion
system is engineered for future conversion to clean fuels or
electrification.”
New Vessel Highlights
- Shallow draft to maximize cargo lift within tide and channel
constraints
- Total deadweight of approximately 16,000 metric tonnes
- Gravity discharge, suitable for loading salt, sulfate of potash
and other dry bulk commodities onto ocean-going vessels with a
deadweight of up to 207,000 tonnes
- High maneuverability, with double-ended propulsion
- Four azimuth drives and an integrated diesel-electric
propulsion and powering system
- Single-point loading system with a loading rate of 3,300 tonnes
per hour
- Self-unloading system with a
discharge rate of 4,000 tonnes per hour
“BCI Minerals is very pleased to sign this major
contract with CSL for a vessel specifically designed for the Mardie
Salt and Potash Project, which will provide BCI with a secure and
cost-effective shipping solution providing real benefits to our
operations and our customers,” said BCI’s Managing Director, David
Boshoff. “CSL’s market leading reputation for delivering
transhipment solutions and their commitment to safety and
reliability make them an ideal long-term partner for BCI
Minerals.”
Construction of the new vessel will begin in spring 2026 with
delivery scheduled in mid-2027. In the interim, beginning in the
second half of 2026, CSL will provide a vessel on time charter to
deliver transhipment services to the Mardie Project while the new
dedicated vessel is under construction.
The CSL Group is a world class provider of complex marine
solutions and the largest owner and operator of self-unloading
ships in the world. Headquartered in Montreal with operations
throughout the Americas, Australia, Europe and Africa, CSL delivers
millions of tonnes of cargo annually for customers in the
construction, steel, energy and agri-food sectors.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brigitte Hébert, Director,
Communications514-982-3854 | brigitte.hebert@cslships.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f535cd1-2063-4a7f-9bbd-745ce6f1e5db